U.K. approved for $650M AMRAAM missile purchase

July 11 (UPI) -- The State Department has approved the possible sale of AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to the United Kingdom under a foreign military sale.

The potential contract for 200 AMRAAM missiles, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, includes spare parts, testing equipment, technical support, personnel and transportation. The cost of the program is expected to be $650 million.

The State Department says that the purchase will contribute to U.S. security by adding to the strength of a NATO ally.

The missiles will be supplied to the Royal Air Force, which already uses the system and would have no trouble integrating it.

The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile is the standard radar-guided missile used by the U.S, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, and is used by nations across the world. It is a "fire-and-forget" weapon that uses a active radar seeker head to track and destroy aircraft.